FAQ's and Tips

General
Where can I find Baby Art products?

Our experienced retail staff are more than happy to answer all your questions about our range of products. Simply enter your location on the Find a store page to find your nearest outlet. 

Please note:  to avoid disappointment in store, contact the retailer to check availability of the Baby Art product of your choice. 

Do your products pose any risk to my baby?

Baby Art products are completely safe, even for newborns: they are non-toxic, have been dermatologically tested and are safe for your baby and you to use.

Each product has been assessed for toxicological and dermatological safety according to Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 to ensure safety equal to that required by cosmetics regulation. It can be safely used for baby's skin.

At what age should you make your Baby Art to get the best result?

All Baby Art products have been designed for use with children from birth to 3 years old, so it is perfectly safe to use any Baby Art product as soon as your baby is born. With sculptures, the smaller the baby, the easier it is to make the plaster cast and the more delightful the result! For impressions made using Baby Art modelling clay, the recommended age is from birth to three years old, or as long as the child’s hand or foot fits in the frame. There is no age limit for painted impressions – the whole family can put their impression alongside the baby’s, providing they all fit in the frame! 

How difficult is it to work with Baby Art products?

All Baby Art products have been designed so that anyone can use them and no particular skill is required. All you have to do is follow the instructions provided and all the stages involved in making it (proportions, drying time etc). The impressions really are child’s play and there’s no risk of them going wrong because you can start over again as often as you want if you don’t like the result. The sculptures involve slightly more tricky stages (with mixtures) but they have been developed so that they are very easy to make. It is important to read all the instructions thoroughly before starting in order to prepare everything you to make the cast and not to lose time between stages. 

Prints
How long do you have to knead the clay for before rolling it out?

As indicated in the instructions, knead the clay for at least 30 seconds before rolling it out. The longer you knead, the easier it will be to make the print. 

What sort of surface should you roll the clay on?

We recommend you do your imprint on a sheet of paper (baking paper or aluminium foil) on a flat surface. This means you can move it for drying elsewhere and can easily remove the impression from the paper to turn it over while drying. 

How do you prepare the Magic Box impression clay?

Start by thoroughly kneading the clay to warm it. When you roll it out in the Magic Box using the small wooden rolling pin, take your time so that you achieve a smooth, even result. If necessary, you can use your fingers to spread it all the way out to the edges. If you’re not happy with the way you’ve spread out the clay or with the result of your impression, you can start from the beginning again and knead the clay once more. Take care not to let the clay start to dry! 

How long should the child stay still to make the impression?

You don’t need to keep the child still to make the impression. All you have to do is press each little finger or toe onto the clay to make a beautiful, precise and distinct impression. Then gently remove it straightaway from the obtained cast. 

What do I do if I’m not happy with the impression?

If you’re not happy with the impression, you can start again straightaway: form a ball again and knead the clay. Take care not to leave the clay too long before starting again otherwise it might dry out! 

How long will it take my impression to dry?

Leave your impression made in the Baby Art clay to dry for six hours at room temperature, then turn it over and leave it to dry further for at least twenty-four hours. You can leave it to dry in the open air for a few days if you think the impression is still a bit soft. 

How do you avoid cracks appearing as it dries?

Leave your product to dry at room temperature – so neither too hot nor too cold. That way you’ll avoid getting cracks due to accelerated drying. 

How do you get a beautiful painted impression?

To get the best possible impression, we recommend that you apply a generous layer of paint on your hand using the roller provided. For an adult hand, you can go as far as using the entire tube of paint supplied with the Baby Art product; for a child, use half the tube. Please also ensure that you spread the paint over the whole of your hand (no gaps) so that the impression of your hand is marked well on whatever medium you are using. Gently put your hand on the frame with your fingers well spread out, but without pushing too hand to avoid sliding, and that way you’ll get a beautiful hand impression. 

If my painting impression is not perfect, can I re-do it?

With the wooden frames, you can clean off the impression as soon as you make it (without letting it dry) using a sponge and a solvent (no scourers so that you don’t leave any marks on it). Gently rub the impression until the whole painting disappears. If using paper or cloth, you are advised to do a test in advance on a standard sheet of paper. 

Can I improve my painted impression?

You are advised not to try and make a second impression on top of the first to avoid it looking like the hand has slipped or that you have gone over the edge. You can however delicately use your finger or a paint brush to touch up any minor imperfections, but it is better not to do this too much because it would make the impression too uniform and less authentic! 

Sculptures
How do I ensure my sculpture is successful?

You have to read all the instructions before starting so that you know beforehand what the different stages are, and you must follow all the directions exactly. It is recommended that you make your cast at room temperature between 18° and 25°C to ensure the accuracy of the times given in the instructions. It is important to prepare all the elements required before you set about making the sculpture. Similarly, when you start the cast, you are advised to keep you child near by so that you can put his hand or foot quickly into the moulding material as soon as it is ready. 

How do I select the container needed to make a sculpture?

To select the first container for baby’s hand or foot, you should ensure that you will be able to put all of your baby’s foot or hand into it to give you the form you wish to obtain, and if you intend to frame this form, that it is sufficiently high. You are advised to choose a flexible plastic container to make it easier to turn it out after the plaster has been poured into the impression mould. 

How much time should I allow to make my sculpture?

Generally, all the stages involved in making a sculpture (excluding the three-hour drying time) take around fifteen to twenty minutes. However, to make the most of this creative leisure time with your baby, it is best choose a period in the day when you have time ahead of you and nothing important to do so that you have the best conditions for making your Baby Art. 

When is the best time to do a sculpture with my baby?

You are advised to make the sculpture when your baby is asleep to limit movements when you are making a cast of his hand or foot. Avoid making an impression or a sculpture with your baby at a time when he is tired or agitated. 

How do I mix the contents of the “step 1” sachet from the sculpture kits?

To get a well-mixed material, you are advised to pour your sachet fairly quickly and in the right quantity into the bowl with the water. Mix thoroughly before using it. The process to make this first casting clay takes 2 to 3 minutes. 

How do I prepare the impression clay to make the Window Sculpture Frame?

Ensure that you spread out all the clay onto quite a large surface so that you can make two impressions (two feet) at the same time. If you prefer to do it in two stages (for one foot and one hand, for example), carefully divide the clay in two and roll out each piece separately to make two successive impressions. Ensure that you roll out the clay sufficiently thickly to make an impression mould deep enough for pouring in the plaster afterwards. So when you make the impression of your baby in the clay, ensure you press gently but firmly enough so that his foot or hand appears perfectly to give a deep impression. 

How do I mix the contents of the “step 2” sachet in the sculpture kits?

It is important to follow the proportions indicated in the instructions so that you get an appropriate plaster texture which is neither too thick (risk of lumps and hardening too quickly) nor too liquid (longer drying time). 

How do you pour the plaster into the clay mould?

Gently and gradually pour the plaster into the mould. To avoid air bubbles remaining at the bottom of the cast, turn the mould in different directions and tap the edges to help air bubbles escape. Immediately rinse the second container you have used for mixing the plaster so that it doesn’t harden. 

How do I avoid breaking the sculpture when I turn it out?

If your plaster mixture seems a little too liquid, or if you have the least doubt, it is preferable to let the cast dry for longer to ensure that the plaster sculpture is dry and hard enough when you turn it out. 

How can I easily make the Belly Kit?

You are advised not to make the mould of your belly on your own: it is better for the expectant mother to sit or stand straight and for another person to make the cast on her. 

What do I do if I make a mess of my cast?

Contact your retailer’s customer service department who will be able to give you an answer. You can view the list of retailers by country under the “Contact” heading on our website. 

Tips
Personalise your Baby Art frame

Choose a different background colour for your frame: cut a sheet of coloured cardboard the size of the back of your frame, stick it with double-sided tape on the back of the frame initially supplied, and stick the hand or footprint of your baby onto the new background! 

Personalise your paint print frame

In the Baby Art products for making paint impressions, the tubes of paint supplied come with a small applicator nozzle, which means they can be used like a pencil for decorating or signing your baby’s masterpiece. 

Personalise your sculpture

You can choose to varnish your baby’s foot or hand sculptures or even decorate them using traditional acrylic paint. 

Personalise the impressions made in Baby Art modelling clay

To personalise the impression of your baby in the clay from the “Print” products or the Magic Box, you can engrave them with the name, date of birth or date you made. Use a pointed tool (a pencil, knife etc.) to engrave in the clay before it dries. You can also decorate the impression or the frame background using traditional acrylic paint.